Chances are you think you’re a good listener. People’s appraisal of their listening ability is much like their assessment of their driving skills, in that the great bulk of adults think they’re above average.

The way companies find and hire new talent has changed dramatically. Many customer support managers can’t wait months for their Human Resources departments to sift through applicants’ resumes, call references, and report their findings. The need for a new staff member is immediate when working with just one less person is a strain on resources and energies.

Traditional hierarchically structured companies were invented at a time when the business saw companies as machines. People and Nature were (still are) resources and power is centralized in position. Responsibilities and accountabilities are delegated from top to bottom. By centering power in authority, barriers to taking collective action were installed and decision-making slowed down. Reliance is on analytical thinking so that, much like a car, if performance slowed, you found and fixed the defective part.

Little bonus fun this week. The folks behind the incredible SUPCONF event are taking applications for speakers for their NYC event. Check it out!

We’re bringing SUPCONF to NYC in November and looking for speakers to join our talk development program.

Whether you have prior speaking experience or not, we’re dedicated to working with you to deliver an amazing speech that will help you win friends and influence people. You’ll be speaking in front of some of the best folks in support – who work at companies like Automattic, Trello, DigitalOcean, and more.